BG/Toledo differences

[anthony e]

Just sitting around on a Sunday afternoon and had a few questions to pose
on this forum. I am a 95 graduate of this fine institution and a big fan of the football program. First, I am wondering about the attendance figures
between BG and Toledo. To my knowledge, Toledo always seems to have a larger and more fevered following of their football program. Maybe
it is because they have the large base from the city, or maybe their
fans follow the team more than BG fans. Any thoughts on this topic?
Second, this deals more with the MAC programs that continue to have success over a long period of time. I would include as of late, BG,
Toledo, Nothern, and Marshall, even though they are no longer a member of the MAC. My inclination would be that Toledo Tom, Pruett, and even
Novack have some loyalty to these programs. In their cases, they
either went to school there or have been part of the progarm for an extended period of time. I believe that when Brandon leaves and I believe he will, we need to hire someone with ties to BG. For example, coach S,
who is on our staff and has a sense of loyalty to the program. As a matter of fact, I believe he would be a better coach than Brandon. Any thoughts
on this area?

[CiContention]

Well, according to Students Review, the total student population of BGSU is about 19,000 while the total student population of Toledo is about 21,000. That may account for some of the difference in attendance, but those numbers may also be varied now dependent upon the incoming classes, of which I'm apart of the incoming BGSU class ( ).

But, from afar I've heard much better things about BGSU in comparison to Toledo as far as athletics go, which for me is especially important as I'm a Sports Management major. I'm from Western New York; about a five hour drive away. I was sold from the beginning on the campus atmosphere of BGSU, not so much on Akron or Toledo's.

[TG1996]

First off, welcome aboard!
Second, the Coach Stud discussion is one that has come up many times before around here, but it's been awhile.

As for the attendance thing, I don't know what it is about Toledo, though the "city thing" might be a big part of it. I know for awhile when I was growing up, it seemed they always had some "get four tickets with a $5 purchase at Kroger" type deal going. They've also been able to play night games alot longer than BG and build a following in that regard. I think the only way to know for sure how they get their fans is if some type of survey was done as fans entered each stadium. Where they're from, how they got their tickets, why they're there, etc.

[Flipper]

We put our pants on one leg at a time. They walk around in soiled undershorts because pants are "too fancy" for the simple luddites of Toledo.

The marital aids did draw pretty well in 2000 (henceforth is shall be known as "The year BG sucked really badly"). I lived "up that way" for quite awhile. I don't think the town has had the hard on for UT that it did that year. Of course, our fanbase could use a little Cialis too....

[RangerRocket]

First off, welcome aboard!
Second, the Coach Stud discussion is one that has come up many times before around here, but it's been awhile.

As for the attendance thing, I don't know what it is about Toledo, though the "city thing" might be a big part of it. I know for awhile when I was growing up, it seemed they always had some "get four tickets with a $5 purchase at Kroger" type deal going. They've also been able to play night games alot longer than BG and build a following in that regard. I think the only way to know for sure how they get their fans is if some type of survey was done as fans entered each stadium. Where they're from, how they got their tickets, why they're there, etc.

I'd like to "find" a "get four tickets with a $5 purchase at Kroger" deal (having just bought 5 seaon tickets for just shy of $1000). I've actually seen Meijer do similar things for BGSU tickets. The Rockets should draw well this year.

[jpfalcon09]

Living in the Toledo area myself and attending BGSU, I can tell you right off the bat that BG's marketing in the Toledo area is pretty much subpar. I've seen UT posters at Fricker's downtown, as well as at the Durty Bird and other establishments.

Secondly, the BG area is obviously not as heavily populated as the Toledo area is. The Toledo area with suburbs is about 500,000 strong, and many people associate themselves with Toledo sports (Mud Hens and the Storm) more readily than BG sports.

BG seems to rely heavily on townspeople crowds and some scattered interest from neighboring cities (Fremont, Napoleon, etc.) and some from the major cities, especially Cleveland. Many people who have never attended Toledo are fans of the team just because they leave within proximity of the city, while quite frankly, BG relies on local people and students/alums.

Just my take from being in both places.

[TG1996]

I'd like to "find" a "get four tickets with a $5 purchase at Kroger" deal (having just bought 5 seaon tickets for just shy of $1000). I've actually seen Meijer do similar things for BGSU tickets. The Rockets should draw well this year.

As I said, I remember this from years ago, and I was probably exaggerating a bit, but I always remember UT having ticket deals through (insert grocery chain here). BG has come around in this regard, but only in the last five or so years, from what I've noticed.

[Globetrotter]

Living in the Toledo area myself and attending BGSU, I can tell you right off the bat that BG's marketing in the Toledo area is pretty much subpar. I've seen UT posters at Fricker's downtown, as well as at the Durty Bird and other establishments.

Secondly, the BG area is obviously not as heavily populated as the Toledo area is. The Toledo area with suburbs is about 500,000 strong, and many people associate themselves with Toledo sports (Mud Hens and the Storm) more readily than BG sports.

BG seems to rely heavily on townspeople crowds and some scattered interest from neighboring cities (Fremont, Napoleon, etc.) and some from the major cities, especially Cleveland. Many people who have never attended Toledo are fans of the team just because they leave within proximity of the city, while quite frankly, BG relies on local people and students/alums.

Just my take from being in both places.

i think where BG has failed isn that they have not created an attachment in those cities. Fremont is a half hour drive. You should be able to get a sizeable group to come up and tailgate. It was foolish not to heavily recruit Opelt...even if just for that fact.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I don't like the idea of recruiting kids just to get fans from that area. If you think it was foolish not to go after Opelt hard because he's a stud, fine. Saying it's foolish to not go after him to create a fan attachment to a particular area -- I'm not so sure. I want to recruit the most talented kids we can bring in here regardless of where they're from.


As far as Toledo goes -- Look at the surrounding areas. They have a big advantage in terms of population. I wouldn't say their student support is any better in football than ours, but they consistently draw more bodies from the city. Our marketing has been less than stellar I think also, but it is starting to come around.


As far as coaching -- I would love to see us get an alum HC that was up for the job and wanted to stay. I don't want us to be a stepping stone forever. I get the feeling GB would bolt the second a better opportunity came up (not that I can fault him for it). For as much ribbing as we give Tom -- he's a great coach and Toledo is lucky to have a guy like that who wants to stick around.

[Columbus_Zak]

I tend to look at it as a derby match like the ones you seen in English football. Toledo, allegedly the bigger club, bigger fan base, ect., ect., ect. Bowling Green, little brother, the cult pick, does way more with less, more tightly wound fans because it is the smaller club.

It's a great situation, there are only a handful of rivalries in college football where the two schools are 20 miles apart.

[anthony e]

I hate to admmit it, but I think Toledo Tom is a much better coach
than Greg Brandon.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I hate to admmit it, but I think Toledo Tom is a much better coach
than Greg Brandon.

It would be tough for anyone to make a case against it at this point. Amstutz has a lot more experience in his favor, so Brandon might be a good coach in time. However, right now, I have not seen much to make me think Brandon is capable of taking our team to the next level, or even sustaining or current one. I would love to be proved wrong.

[anthony e]

Some of his play calling in the Toledo games has not been what a coach
at his level should be making. I can mention numerous games, such
as Boise State, Akron, and Toledo, when we were stopped on offense
and didn't seem to have another offense that can break through to
defeat these teams. Maybe we don't have the athletes of the past, or
maybe our coaching is subpar at best.

[anthony e]

Against Toledo the last few years I inherently believe that Brandon was
outcoached by Toledo Tom. In addition, games against Boise State,
Akron, and Toledo have shown Brandon to be one sided in his playcalling.
Once we are stopped in the passing department, it is safe to say we
will lose the guy. Maybe we don't have the athletes, or maybe it is the
coaching. Is the Urban Meyer factor over? Meaning can Brandon recruit
his own players and continue to win? To me, the jury is out.

[Rightupinthere]

I hate to admmit it, but I think Toledo Tom is a much better coach
than Greg Brandon.

Your perception does not follow statistical information.

Winning percentage.
GB, 702
TA, 714

TA has two years and three chins experience on GB.

Don't get me wrong, I respect TA. I believe if you are to carry out mistakes on GB, you have to site mistakes by TA as well. Bowl record. OOC record, et al.

I would pull more stats but I'm still three weeks (close to four weeks) behind at work. Serves me right for taking ONE week's vacation.